http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/...don_kaplan.htm
June 22, 2006 -- 'FUTURAMA" is officially back from the dead. The quirky animated show from "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening was canceled by Fox about two years ago, but will return with at least 13 new episodes on Comedy Central by 2008.
This is only the second time in television history that a show sent to TV's trash heap has been resurrected. Curiously, the first was "Family Guy," also an animated Fox show.
The tale of "Futurama's" dramatic revival roughly follows that same path that "Family Guy" did.
In both cases, the shows have been successfully airing on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim late-night programming block. They both also turned into hot-selling DVD box sets.
"Family Guy" returned to Fox earlier this year, while last fall, Comedy Central outbid Adult Swim for the license to air all 52 episodes of "Futurama" and whatever new episodes might one day be produced.
This week, deals were inked to secure all of the original voice talent and the production staff of "Futurama," paving the way for the series' return to TV.
The show stars voice-over megastar Billy West (whose elastic vocal chords have provided the voices for nearly 120 different cartoons) as Philip J. Fry, a bumbling slacker from the 20th century who is accidentally cryogenically frozen in 1999 and wakes up 1,000 years later.
It is believed that the new episodes will also be released on DVD.
"Futurama" star Katey Sagal confirmed the return of the show on Comedy Central Tuesday night during an appearance on Craig Ferguson's "Late Late Show."
On Fox, "Futurama" never developed the same buzz or following of its sister show, "The Simpsons," but has since become one of the biggest shows on Adult Swim.
Fox may also have the option to air the new episodes, although it is highly unlikely to do so, according to industry sources.
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I don't think that's true.This is only the second time in television history that a show sent to TV's trash heap has been resurrected. Curiously, the first was "Family Guy," also an animated Fox show.
There were one or two shows that one network dropped and another picked up, though the names escape me now.
they should bring back Firefly
i think those 13 episodes had already been made, i don't think any new seasons are in the works. they were originally supposed to go straight to dvd. futurama is an incredible show, and in its first season had eclipsed the simpsons, simply because matt didn't care about the simpsons anymore. fox gave it the ultimate hose job putting it on after the afternoon football games - half the time they wouldn't air it because the games would run over past 6pm. but, the animated corpse of the simpsons keeps going, even though it hasn't been very good for 7 years.
I like Futurama.
Family Guy >> Futurama
I own all first 4 Season DVD box sets.... I luv that show!!!
they are apples and oranges, but nope. futurama actually has a cohesive plotline and isn't a collection of throwaway gags. i like family guy, but i thought futurama was a much better show, especially in the writing. this slurm episode was a much better parody of charlie and the chocolate factory than the drunka lunka episode, for example. but it's a matter of opinion. plus, bender is one of the best characters ever.
Did you see the episode where they go back in time (to Roswell N.M. in 1947) and confuse bender for a spacecraft... and where fry finds out he is his own grandfather... it was gold.
Or the one where Bender had civilizations growing on his belly and back side while floating in space... who then nuked each other to smithereens... gold I tell ya...
Futurama should have replaced the Simpsons a long time ago.
the 4 leaf clover was one of my favorites, as well as the christmas episodes, and the what if machine stuff. all great.
Bender is great... kill all the humans...
hmm... that song had a catchy tune.
One of my favorite episodes was the one with the space wasps and the royal jelly.
I love that show..I have seasons 2-4 on dvd and I watch it religiously.
The greatest character ever created is one Zapp Brannigan...I love him
Plus...Dr. Zoidberg is hilarious too.
futurama is cool. i'll catch the new episodes if i can
santa claus is gunning you down!
I think you're right, but I don't the previous shows were actually off the air for a season or two.
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